Ron Collins on wed 16 may 01
Hopefully, someone can tell me if mica is available in the U.S. for =
ceramic use from ceramic/mineral supply houses. I do not want to buy =
any, but was just wondering if it is available as a clay addition, or =
must one order micaceous clay already mixed, and if so, what percent =
mica do they use, and who sells it? I am having some very interesting =
results since I got back this week to fooling around with the mica....I =
have been using up to 50% by volume and the properties of the =
earthenware clay have totally changed.....has anyone else done much with =
mica in non-traditional ways? I know that the indigenous people of the =
SW do traditional shapes and forms, but is there any experimentation =
going on? As I said, I'm having some very interesting and surprising =
results here..Melinda, just curious in Guatemala
Matt MacIntire on wed 16 may 01
Pacer Minerals sells muscovite mica. Pacer also is the company that mines
and processes Custer Feldspar. I'd expect that any supplier who sells
Custer Feldspar could get you Pacer's mica -- eventually. Or you could
order it directly from Pacer. They sell it in a variety of particle sizes,
from 1/4" through 325 mesh. Nothing in the 10-20 mesh range though.
Look here for more information:
http://www.pacerminerals.com/mica.html
Another mica option.... we used to wedge vermiculite into clay sometimes.
Vermiculite is widely available (in the US) at garden shops.
Good luck.
Matt
cd on wed 16 may 01
Ron,
The following link is to New Mexico Clay...they carry mica.
http://www.nmclay.com/
There is a processing plant just north of Espanola NM, in Velarde. The =
mica is mined East of Taos. I purchased a couple of large bags from =
them, to use while plastering the inside walls of a house I was =
building in Taos. A few shovels full, mixed with a bag of Structolite, =
some sand and a pound or two of stucco colorant, made for a very =
beautiful plastered surface. No paint required.
As I recall the largest purchaser of this particular mica, were the =
paint manufacturers..
Keep us informed of your experiments,
Regards,
Craig
Wade Blocker on wed 16 may 01
Ron,
Mica 325
K2AL4AL2SI6O20(OH4) is available at Laguna.Described as water ground 325
mesh powder. Usually added to a glaze formula to aid in craze resistance.
Also helps thermal and moisture expansion resistance.
NewMexico Clay has "New Mexico Mica,fine white,listed as $6.95 for 10
lbs,$13.90 for 10 lbs and $23.21 for 100 lbs.
Hope this helps. Mia in warm ABQ
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